Backgrounder

Tenggara Backgrounder is a weekly briefing service combining insights and analysis by experts from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, as well as background information from The Jakarta Post journalists. Tenggara Backgrounder provides you exclusive insights into what’s happening behind the scenes along with insider scoops that are not published in the media.

PDI-P in hot water ahead of regional elections

Tenggara Backgrounder January 17, 2020

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the country’s largest political party of which President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is a member, has found itself at the center of a corruption scandal. Accused of abusing its power to allocate a House of Representatives seat to a favored member, the PDI-P faces a crisis of legitimacy ahead of the September regional elections, which the party aspires to win by a landslide.

Jiwasraya’s ‘gigantic’ loss and its systemic effect

Tenggara Backgrounder January 10, 2020

The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has rocked the country’s financial sector with its warning that Jiwasraya’s “gigantic” loss could spark a systemic risk. But financial regulators are not convinced that the problem-ridden state-owned insurance company could create a systemic effect.

Police end year with bang

Tenggara Backgrounder January 03, 2020

Days before the end of 2019, the National Police made probably their biggest catch of the year, namely the arrest of two active officers suspected of perpetrating the acid attack on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) senior investigator Novel Baswedan. Coming nearly three years after the attack, the arrest has showered the police with both appreciation and suspicion.

The demise of Rudiantara, the rise of the banker in PLN

Tenggara Backgrounder December 27, 2019

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo backed out from endorsing former communication and information minister Rudiantara as state electricity firm PLN president director and made a swift adjustment by appointing former state-owned lender Bank Mandiri president director Zulkifli Zaini to head PLN.

Questioning Wantimpres’ significance

Tenggara Backgrounder December 20, 2019

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently appointed nine prominent figures as members of the presidential advisory board (Wantimpres). While the credentials of the advisors would hold great significance in influencing the President’s decision, many deem the appointment as just another move by Jokowi to consolidate support for his government.

Ari’s dismissal from Garuda an opportunity to end cartel practices

Tenggara Backgrounder December 13, 2019

The recent luxury goods smuggling scandal that led to the dismissal of Garuda Indonesia president director I Gusti Ngurah “Ari” Askhara Danadiputra has not only uncovered deep rooted poor corporate governance practices within the national flag carrier but also provides an opportunity to end cartel-like practices within the aviation industry.

PDI-P in hot water ahead of regional elections

Jiwasraya’s ‘gigantic’ loss and its systemic effect

Police end year with bang

The demise of Rudiantara, the rise of the banker in PLN

Questioning Wantimpres’ significance

Ari’s dismissal from Garuda an opportunity to end cartel practices

KPK investigation letter leaked

PDI-P fights back in KPU bribery case

Last Indonesian hostage rescued from Abu Sayyaf

House to form teams in Jiwasraya probe

Jokowi supports private sector participation in SOE projects